Grain size threshold for enhanced irradiation resistance in nanocrystalline and ultrafine tungsten. Issue 5 (3rd September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: El-Atwani, O.; Hinks, J. A.; Greaves, G.; Allain, J. P.; Maloy, S. A.
• Is Part Of: Materials research letters. Volume 5:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 343
• Page End: 349
• Publication Date: 2017-09-03
• Subjects: He implantation -- TEM -- bubbles -- nanocrystalline -- grain boundary; Materials science -- Research -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Research; Composite materials -- Research; Materials science -- Research; Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1080/21663831.2017.1292326
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2166-3831

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Nanocrystalline metals are considered highly radiation-resistant materials due to their large grain boundary areas. Here, the existence of a grain size threshold for enhanced irradiation resistance in high-temperature helium-irradiated nanocrystalline and ultrafine tungsten is demonstrated. Average bubble density, projected bubble area and the corresponding change in volume were measured via transmission electron microscopy and plotted as a function of grain size for two ion fluences. Nanocrystalline grains of less than 35 nm size possess ∼10–20 times lower change in volume than ultrafine grains and this is discussed in terms of the grain boundaries defect sink efficiency. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: IMPACT STATEMENT A grain size threshold in nanocrystalline and ultrafine tungsten has been shown to exist for enhanced irradiation-resistance performance during high-temperature helium irradiation.